Kindergarten and First Grade
Swamp Squish (1 - 1.5 hours)
It's a swamp out there! Students will explore the diversity of animals that live in the swamp and realize they all have the same basic needs of food, water, and shelter. The nature hike and activities will focus on identifying and describing a variety of animal homes and foods. Limit: 90 students QCC: K: 12,13; 1st: 11,12,13
Froggy Bottoms and Turtle Tales (1 - 1.5 hours)
This program is a fun introduction to the world of reptiles and amphibians. Students will investigate similarities and differences between reptiles and amphibians and use their new knowledge as they participate in activities. Reptiles and amphibians in different habitats will be the focus of the nature hike. Limit: 90 students QCC: K: 12,13; 1st: 12,13,14


Second and Third Grade
Swamp-A-Rama
(1.5 - 2 hours)
Experience the magical world of a swamp! Students will define a habitat and discover how animals relate to their unique habitats. A nature hike will introduce students to several different habitats within the Nature Park. Limit: 90 students QCC: 2nd: 15,16,17; 3rd: 4,12
Froggy Frolics & Turtle Tantrums (1.5 - 2 hours)
Live the herp life at Phinizy! Students will review similarities and differences between reptiles and amphibians, and then they will examine reptile and amphibian life cycles and adaptations. A nature hike will be included to locate reptile and amphibian habitats. If time allows, there will also be a special discussion of the snakes found in this area. Limit: 90 students QCC: 2nd: 16,18; 3rd: 12,13
Cattail Capers (1.5- 2 hours) A fun introduction to the world of producers. Students will discover what it takes to be a plant, the different habitats where plants live, and some wetland plant adaptations. Students will learn some of the common plants of Phinizy Swamp on a nature walk. Seeds and flowers may also be examined. Limit 90 students QCC: 2nd: 11,18; 3rd: 12,13

Fourth and Fifth Grade
WOW! Wetlands!
(1.5 - 2 hours)
Do your students know the importance of wetlands? Students will define a wetland, brainstorm wetland values and organisms, and then explore the relationships between wetland organisms and their environment. On the nature hike, students will investigate wetland and non-wetland soils. Limit: 90 students QCC: 4th: 23,24,25; 5th: 18,23
Beaks, Feathers, and Talons, Oh My! (1.5 - 2 hours)
Join the feathered frenzy! Students will investigate several categories of birds and participate in fun activities illustrating the importance of detailed observation for bird identification. On a nature hike, students will record their bird observations. This program focuses on communication and observation skills. Limit: 90 students QCC: 4th: 1,23; 5th: 1,4,17,18
Bug Mania (1.5 - 2 hours)
Students will learn what makes a “bug” an insect. They will search for aquatic and terrestrial insects and learn what they can tell us about the environment. This is a fun program for your active students! Limit: 70 students QCC: 4th: 23,25; 5th: 1,2,3,17,18

Sixth to Eighth Grade
Swamp Stomp
(1.5 - 2 hours)
How do we define wetlands? Students will become wetland delineators, focusing on the soils and plants of Phinizy’s wetlands. Soil identification will be explored in detail, and students will brainstorm ways to use wetlands to solve community problems. Limit: 90 students QCC: 6th: 1; 7th: 1,13,17,20,20.3,21,21.1; 8th: 1,5,16
Swamp Math (1.5 - 2 hours)
Students will discover that math can be fun and is important for scientists and data collection. Students will collect data and formulate conclusions as they participate in population sampling, volume estimates, and basic orienteering. This is a very active tour with many measurements that make math exciting! Limit: 90 students
QCC: 6th: 1,2,10,13,21,22,43,49; 7th: 1,2,10,23,26,30,38; 8th: 1,2,12,16,17,27,29
The Waterdance (2 hours)
Convince your students that water is a precious resource! Students will assess drinking water availability, identify and describe a watershed, and learn the difference between point and non-point sources of water pollution. On a nature hike, students will explore the watershed of Butler Creek. Limit: 90 students QCC: 6th: 1; 7th: 1,20.2; 8th: 1,5,16
Butler Creek Blues (2 hours)
Have you ever considered the health of your local stream? Students will participate in techniques that a stream ecologist might use to assess the health of a stream, such as sampling macroinvertebrates and simple water chemistry. Please Note: This is a very active program but does not include a nature hike. Limit: 70 students
QCC: 6th: 2,3.4,7.1,7.2,9.1; 7th: 1,2,3.4,13,13.1,18,18.1,19,21,21.1; 8th: 1,2,3.4,5
Where Does the Water Go? (2.5 hours)
Why is it important to clean our wastewater? Students will tour Augusta's Wastewater Treatment Plant and Constructed Wetlands to discover how wastewater is cleaned and recycled. Emphasis will be on the limited supply of fresh, clean water. Scheduling of this tour is dependent on the schedule of the treatment plant. Limit: 40 students
QCC: 6th: 1; 7th: 1; 8th: 1,5,6

Ninth to Twelfth Grade
Forest Communities of Phinizy
(3 hours)
Students will participate in a hands-on discovery of the basics of forest ecology, including tree and soil identification and community types. A nature hike will lead students through several different forest communities. Limit: 45 students QCC: Bio: 1,13,19,25
Water Quality and Chemistry (3 hours)
How can you tell when water is clean? Students will tour the City of Augusta's Constructed Wetlands, which perform the final step in cleaning Augusta’s wastewater. Nutrient, dissolved oxygen, and pH tests of water samples from different stages of treatment will be performed by the students.Limit:40studentsQCC: Chem: 1,3,4; Env: 1, 3,5,6.2,6.4,11,14.1,14.5,14.6,15.1,15.3,15.5
Where Does the Water Go? (2.5 hours)
Why is it important to clean our wastewater? Students will tour Augusta's Wastewater Treatment Plant and Constructed Wetlands to discover how wastewater is recycled. Emphasis will be on the limited supply of fresh, clean water. Scheduling of this program is dependent on the schedule of the treatment plant. Limit: 40. Student Note: This tour can be combined with Water Quality and Chemistry. QCC: Bio: 1,6.3,27; Chem: 1,3,4;
Env: 1,3,5,6.2,6.4,11,14.1,14.5,14.6,15.1,15.3,15.5
Stream Ecology (3 hours)
Have you ever considered the health of your local stream? Students will participate in techniques that a stream ecologist might use to assess the health of a stream, such as sampling macroinvertebrates for biodiversity, testing water chemistry, and stream flow calculations. Limit: 60 students QCC: Bio: 1,13,20,25;
Chem: 1,3,11.1,11.4,11.5;
Env: 1,2,5,6.2,11.1,11.2,14.1,14.5,14.6,15,15.1,15.5

All Ages
Nature Hike
(1.5 - 2 hours)
A hike will introduce students to the diversity of habitats and organisms in Georgia. Limit: 90 students
Swamp Tracks (1.5 - 2 hours)
Ever wonder what lives at the swamp? River otters? Bobcats? Raccoons? Even if we don't see them, there is always evidence they live at the Nature Park. Students will identify the characteristics of mammals and list mammals that live at the Nature Park. Students will look for animal evidence on their nature hike. Limit: 90 students. QCC: 2nd: 16,17; 4th: 23; 5th: 11,18
Phinizy Through the Ages (1.5 - 2 hours)
Take a historical journey through Phinizy Swamp! Students will learn how inhabitants of the area utilized the swamp’s resources over the years. This tour includes a nature hike exploring the historical aspects of the swamp. Limit: 90 students


List Of Programs

Swamp Squish
Froggy Bottoms and Turtle Tales
Swamp-A-Rama
Froggy Frolics & Turtle Tantrums
Cattail Capers
WOW! Wetlands!
Beaks, Feathers, and Talons, Oh My!
Bug Mania
Swamp Stomp
Swamp Math
The Waterdance
Butler Creek Blues
Where Does the Water Go?
Forest Communities of Phinizy
Water Quality and Chemistry
Where Does the Water Go?
Stream Ecology
Nature Hike
Phinizy Through the Ages